Agenda, decisions and minutes

The agenda and reports associated with this minute can be located at the following link:

http://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=143&MId=2892&Ver=4

Please note that if any changes are made to this minute at the point of approval, these will be outlined in the subsequent minute and this document will not be retrospectively altered.

The Convener advised the Committee of a number of good news stories as follows –

·         On Sunday 16 March 2014, Aberdeen Football Club played Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club in the Scottish League Cup Final at Celtic Park.  Due to the allocation of up to £50,000 from the Common Good fund, the Council was able to provide 188 tickets to consulted groups and organisations to allow young people to go to Glasgow and watch the match, 16 groups applied for tickets, 14 of which were successful.  The Convener listed some of the 14 successful groups.  In addition, a live showing of the match was aired at the Belmont cinema for young people and accompanying adults to ensure as many young people as possible could watch the match.  In total 135 people attended the live screening.  Following the match a number of groups who attended had been in touch with officers to express their thanks and appreciation for the tickets and some of the groups provided photographs of the day.  The Convener reminded members that an update on this item was contained in the information bulletin.

·         The Basketball Grampian finals were held on Saturday 24th March 2014, at the Beach Leisure Centre, Aberdeen.  The under 14 Beacon girls and boys teams, as well as the under 16 Beacon boys team were successful in reaching and winning their respective finals.

·         Zariba, synchronized skating team, successfully defended their senior crown at the Trophy D’Ecosse in Dumfries, Scotland, the only International Skating Union competition to be staged in the UK.  The synchronized skating team, who train in Aberdeen under the guidance of coach Sara Petterson, took top spot ahead of Inverness’ Moray Dolphins with a score of 74.94.

Thereafter, Councillor Kiddie took the opportunity to commend the weekend of concerts performed by music centre at the Music Hall on 22 and 23 March 2014.   He also highlighted the success of the Aberdeen Grammar School Senior Concert Band at the Scottish Concert BandFestival finals held inPerth Concert Hall on Sunday 16th March 2014.

The Committee had before it the minute of its previous meeting of 30 January 2014.

The Committee resolved:

to approve the minute as a correct record.

The Committee had before it the minute of meeting of the Culture and Sport Sub Committee of 1 July 2013.

The Committee resolved:

to note the minute.

The Committee had before it a statement of pending and outstanding committee business which had been prepared by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services.

The Committee resolved:

(i)         to remove item 5 (Respite Facilities for Children with Complex Needs – Charlie House) from the business statement; and

(ii)        to otherwise note the updates provided.

The Committee had before it the outstanding motions statement which had been prepared by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services.

The Committee resolved:

to remove motion 1 (Motion by Councillor Greig – Policing Museum).

The Committee had before it by way of referral, a report from the Audit and Risk Committee of 27 February, 2014 relating to the Internal Audit Plan 2014/15.

The Audit and Risk Committee had resolved:-

to agree that the Internal Audit Plan be referred to each Service Committee for their information.

The Committee resolved:-

to note the Internal Audit Plan 2014/15.

With reference to article 10 of the minute of its previous meeting of 30 January 2014, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which advised members of the current year revenue budget to date for the Service, and outlined any areas of risk and management action being taken in this regard.

The report recommended –

that the Committee –

(a)       agree to £94,153 being transferred from Sport Aberdeen to Aberdeen Sports Village to reflect the change in operational arrangements for COAST, and that this take effect at date to be agreed with both organisations;

(b)       note the report on the forecast outturn on the revenue budget and the information on areas of risk and management action that was contained within the report; and

(c)        instruct that officers continue to review budget performance and report on service strategies.

At this juncture, the Convener advised that recommendation (a) had been withdrawn at the request of the Head of Finance as approval for this matter had been given by the Committee at its meeting on 21 November 2013 (article 16 refers).

The Committee resolved:

to approve the recommendations (b) and (c).

With reference to article 11 of the minute of its previous meeting of 30 January 2014, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which detailed the capital spend to date for Service projects included within the non housing capital plan.

The report recommended –

that the Committee note the current position.

The Committee resolved:

to approve the recommendation.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport, which advised of the Education, Culture and Sport Standards and Quality Improvement Plan 2012/13 and 2013/14-15/16.

The report recommended –

that the Committee -

(a)       note the impact of the work of the Education, Culture and Sport Service in 2012/13; and

(b)       approve the Education, Culture and Sport Standards and Quality Improvement Plan 2013/14-15/16.

The Committee resolved:

(i)         to approve the recommendations; and

(ii)        to request that an update on the mental health framework pilot be reported to the next meeting of the Committee by way of the information bulletin; and

(iii)       to commend officers for the new layout of the report.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which informed of (a) a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Agreement between the University of Aberdeen and the Council; and (b) the need for a decision to be taken by officers under Standing Order 1(6)(b) of the Council’s Standing Orders Relating to Contracts and Procurement to exempt Standing Order 1(3) for the expenditure of funds and to approve the contract with the University.

The report recommended –

that the Committee note the decision of the Chief Executive, the Head of Finance, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services and the Head of Procurement to approve the expenditure of funds detailed in Section 3 of the report and their approval to enter into the contract with the University.

The Committee resolved:

(i)         to approve the recommendation; and

(ii)        to instruct officers to review the Knowledge Transfer Partnership Agreement in twelve months and report back to the Committee in this regard.

With reference to article 3 of the minute of its meeting of 7 February 2013, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which advised of the outcome of the statutory consultation on the proposals to (1) rezone the Foresterhill Hospital Complex area from Mile End School to Cornhill School and consequently from Aberdeen Grammar School to St Machar Academy and (2) rezone the northwest part of Scotstown School Catchment Area to Greenbrae School and consequently from Bridge of Don Academy to Oldmachar Academy.

The report recommended –

that the Committee implement the proposals (i) and (ii) above, with implementation at the start of school session 2015-16, i.e. August 2015.

At this juncture, the Convener advised that there was an error within the report and that the recommendation should state that the implementation of the proposals would be at the start of the school session 2014-15, i.e. August 2014, rather than 2015-16, i.e. August 2015 as currently stated in the report.

The Committee resolved:

(i)         to approve the recommendation with the proposals being implemented at the start of the school session 2014-15, i.e. August 2014,

(ii)        to note that a feasibility study on extent and nature of the additional accommodation required at Greenbrae School, as well as the timing of carrying out any works required, would be undertaken and reported to the Committee in due course; and

(iii)       to request officers to advise the Committee, by way of email, of the number of pupils affected by the rezoning of the Foresterhill Hospital Complex.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which sought approval in relation to intake numbers for a number of primary and secondary schools in the city, and reserved places in named primary and secondary schools for children likely to become resident in the zone of these schools during the school year.

The report recommended –

that the Committee –

(a)       agree that the secondary year 1 intakes, and reservation of spaces for children likely to become resident in the zone during the school year as follows:

·         Aberdeen Grammar School 210 (including 10 reserved spaces);

·         Bucksburn Academy 120 (including 6 reserved spaces);

·         Cults Academy 180 (including 14 reserved spaces);

·         Harlaw Academy 180 (including 4 reserved spaces).

(b)       agree that the secondary year 2 intake and reserved spaces for the session 2014/2015 would be set at the level previously agreed for their entry into secondary year 1 and that the secondary year 3 intake and reserved spaces for session 2014/2015 would be set at the level previously agreed for their entry into secondary year 1;

(c)        agree to limit the primary 1 intakes of the named primary schools for August 2014 by limiting the number of classes at primary 1 and primary 1/2 composite as follows:

·           Airyhall                                    13 classes

·           Ashley Road                          14 classes

·           Cult                                          19 classes

·           Hanover Street                         8 classes

·           Heathryburn School             12 classes

·           Kaimhill School                     10 classes

·           Kingswells School                17 classes

·           Manor Park School               12 classes

·           Mile End School                    16 classes

·           Seaton School                       10 classes

·           Stoneywood                             7 classes

·           St Peters                                 11 classes

·           Tullos                                       13 classes

·           Walker Road                          17 classes

(d)       agree to reserve spaces in the following primary schools in the 2014/2015:

·           Airyhall                       3 reserved places

·           Ashley Road              3 reserved places

·           Cults                            3 reserved places

·           Hanover Street          3 reserved places

·           Heathryburn School3 reserved places

·           Kaimhill School        2 reserved places

·           Kingswells School    3 reserved places

·           Manor Park School   3 reserved places

·           Mile End School       4 reserved places

·           Seaton School          3 reserved places

·           Stoneywood               3 reserved places

·           St Peters                   3 reserved places*

·           Tullos                          3 reserved places

·           Walker Road            3 reserved places*

* The in zone pupil numbers currently identified will not provide space for further enrolment until a space becomes available;

(e)       agree to continue to apply the class size maximum of 18 for primary 1 and primary 1/2 composite classes in schools as set out in the report;

(f)        reserve St Peters from the list of maximum class sizes of 18 in primary 1;

(g)       instruct the Schools Service Managers to closely monitor the number of pupils transferring to the identified capped schools in August 2014 relative to the roll limits and classes being recommended; and

(h)       devolve authority to the Director of Education, Culture and Sport to make decisions as to the management of roll capping, and the reservation of school places in both primary and secondary schools, and to instruct officers to update the Scheme of Delegation accordingly.

The Committee heard from the Head of Schools and Education Establishments who advised  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

With reference to article 3 of the minute of its meeting of 7 February 2013, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport, which provided members with an interim position on the review of denominational primary schools in the City.

The report recommended –

that the Committee note:

(a)       the Council’s continuing commitment to denominational education and to the securing of an appropriate and sustainable school estate for denominational provision;

(b)       in respect of St Peter’s Primary:

(1)       the constraints of the existing physical accommodation and site of the school;

(2)       that work would continue to develop a sustainable solution to this situation;

(3)       that wider discussions between Council Directorates would continue in order to review the medium to long term implications for all Council Services on the existing site; and

(4)       that discussions were continuing regarding suitable long term solutions and that these options would be reported to a future Committee.

(c)        in respect of St Joseph’s Primary, officers were requested to:

(1)          progress the negotiation of a short term extension to leasing arrangements for the property at Queens Road in order to secure use of the property beyond the end of the current lease in 2015;

(2)          explore longer term implications of accessibility issues at the school; and

(3)          explore whole life costs in respect of longer term leasing of the property.

(d)       that in respect of all issues, officers:

(1)          continue to liaise with Parent Councils; and

(2)          continue to consult with the Bishop of Aberdeen on all of the matters outlined in the report.

The Convener noted at this juncture that the above recommendations should be agreed by the Committee, rather than noted as specified in the report.

The Committee resolved:

(i)        to approve the Council’s continuing commitment to denominational education and to the securing of an appropriate and sustainable school estate for denominational provision;

(ii)       to agree in respect of St Peter’s Primary, to note:

(a)       the constraints of the existing physical accommodation and site of the school;

(b)       that work would continue to develop a sustainable solution to this situation;

(c)       that wider discussions between Council Directorates would continue in order to review the medium to long term implications for all Council Services on the existing site; and

(d)       that discussions were continuing regarding suitable long term solutions and that these options would be reported to a future meeting of the Committee;

(iii)       toagree in respect of St Joseph’s Primary, to request officers to:

(a)       progress the negotiation of a short term extension to leasing arrangements for the property at Queens Road in order to secure use of the property beyond the end of the current lease in 2015;

(b)       explore longer term implications of accessibility issues at the school; and

(c)       explore whole life costs in respect of longer term leasing of the property;

(iv)       to agree that in respect of all issues, officers continue to liaise with Parent Councils and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Councillor Carle declared an interest in the following item of business by virtue of his membership of the Middlefield Community Project Management Committee, and withdrew from the meeting.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which advised of the budget decision on contracts and procurement in respect of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) relating to the various external organisations which provide community learning and development services, commissioned by the Council.

The report recommended –

that the Committee –

(a)       approve the estimated expenditure in relation to the funded projects for 2014/15 as set out in the financial implications section of the report; and

(b)       note the addition in allocation of funding of £20,000 to Aberdeen Lads Club to support the health and wellbeing of its members.

The Committee resolved:

to approve the recommendations.

MATTER OF URGENCY

The Convener intimated that she had directed in terms of Section 50(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, that the following item of business be considered as a matter of urgency as a decision on this matter was required timeously to enable the procurement process to commence.

With reference to article 18 of the minute of its meeting of 28 March 2013, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which provided an update on progress to develop the Museums’ Collections Centre, including confirmation that design work had been completed and an application for planning permission lodged.

The report recommended –

that the Committee -

(a)       note the progress to date with the development of the Museums’ Collections Centre;

(b)       note the success in achieving grant funding, through two separate bids from Museums Galleries Scotland and that the grants would contribute towards the costs of providing picture racking and shelving, and storage; and

(c)        approve the total estimated expenditure as stated in the report and instructs officers to issue the Invitation to Tender to the shortlisted tenderers.

The Committee resolved:

(i)         to approve recommendations (a) and (b); and

(ii)        to instruct officers to issue the Invitation to Tender to the shortlisted tenderers at an estimated cost of £3.85million.

With reference to article 17 of the minute of its previous meeting 30 January 2014, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which presented applications for financial assistance from a number of individuals and organisations.

The report recommended –

that the Committee –

(a)     consider the applications through the development grants and approve the following recommendations:

(b)     consider the application through the significant sporting events grant programme and approve the following recommendation:

(c)      consider the application through the talented athlete grants programme and approve the following recommendation:

(d)     note that there was an underspend of £37,011.50 from the budget that was allocated from the 2013/14 Common Good fund for the Olympic Games Legacy; and

(e)     agree to recommend to the Finance, Policy and Resources Committee that a proportion of the Common Good Budget underspend be allocated to support the Games Legacy through ensuring that local communities celebrate Glasgow 2014 at a grassroots level during 2014/15.

The Committee resolved:

(i)         to approve recommendations (a) to (d); and

(ii)        to agree to recommend to the Finance, Policy and Resources Committee that £25,000 from the Common Good Budget underspend be allocated to support the Games Legacy through ensuring that local communities celebrate Glasgow 2014 at a grassroots level during 2014/15.

- JENNIFFER LAING; Convener